L. Macungie Condo Plan Reviewed

March 14, 1985|by MELANIE DEVAULT, The Morning Call

The final plan for two more sections of the Fairways at Brookside units - was reviewed by Lower Macungie Township planners this week.

Fairways spokesman Jim Wrisley said Section 5 is to include 56 apartment- style units in eight buildings on 7.85 acres north of Section 4, and Section 6 is to be a combination of quadriplex and twin units on 15.27 acres north of Sections 1, 2 and 3.

About 400 units are built in existing sections of the Fairways, on Brookside Road near Sauerkraut Lane.

Township solicitor Paul Eyster said the basic concept for the development, including the two new sections, was approved by the township in 1973. "It was not in detail," he said.

A list of 29 comments from the township engineer was reviewed by the commission, with several members concerned that appropriate recreational space be included. Commission chairman Robert E. Lee asked Fairways representatives to supply a projection with types and sizes of residences "to make it easier for us to determine recreational needs."

With regard to storm waterdrainage, Frank Waldraff of the township engineering firm of Keystone Consulting Engineers, suggested relocating the pond outlet control structure to discharge runoff into the emergency spillway area.

He said he anticipates a much larger pond will be required than is shown on the plan. (A township ordinance passed last year requires that detention ponds must control all storm events from one to 100 years).

In another matter, Jerry Lipsky told the commission an involved tale about adjoining property and plans for his Hamilton Boulevard used car business. He said he doesn't look to go against township ordinances.

Lower Macungie supervisors last week rejected Lipsky's conditional use application to sell used cars, and the township notified him that he must conform to regulations.

Lipsky objected to hearing his operation referred to as illegal, telling the commission, "I may run an unauthorized place but it's certainly not illegal."

Eyster told Lipsky he "got the cart before the horse. You get your plan approved before you start to sell cars. Did you never hear of zoning?"

Planners told Lipsky he needs to get a variance from the township's zoning hearing board because he does not have two acres, a township requirement for his type of operation.

Eyster told Lipsky until everything is approved, he can't sell cars off the large lot he has set up; he can only use the small area that was previously used for used car sales. "There's nothing wrong with using the house," Eyster added. "The rest of the lot was never approved."

In another matter, the commission reviewed a request by Jack and Mary Lou Savitt for an art gallery at 2015 Route 100. The Savitts are restoring a farmhouse, where they will live, and also have a small gallery.

They were told if the barn on theproperty is to be used for a home occupation also, a zoning variance will be required. The Savitts were asked to make some revisions to the plan and appear before the board again.